Bangalore: Congress has responded positively to the JDS proposal to form an alternative government in Karnataka which is currently under President's rule, a senior leader of the party said today.

"There is a positive response from Congress to my proposal to form the government," senior leader and former Home minister M P Prakash who came back from Delhi after a two-day mission to explore possibility of installing another government in the state, said here.

"I went to Delhi to hold parleys with Congress leaders as per the mandate given to me by JDS legislators at a recent meeting of the legislature party and in the wake of request by majority of MLAs to avoid a snap poll," Prakash, who had come under attack from JDS supremo H D Devegowda, said.

Earlier an irked Gowda told reporters that Prakash had not been authorised by him or the party to hold consultations with Congress on government formation. Prakash, who represents the dominant Lingayat community, asserted that he was not after power and had no plans to split the party.

Several legislators have been meeting him and pleading that at this juncture it would be difficult for them to face elections, he said. Prakash said the issue of formation of a government with Congress was expected to take shape on return of its President Sonia Gandhi from her China visit.

Meanwhile, Prakash will be visiting former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and briefing him on the outcome of his talks with Congress leaders, sources said. 

Source : PTI